Passing of North Dakota Icon

Jamestown, ND – November 15, 2016 – With deep sadness, the National Buffalo Museum announces the passing of White Cloud, the rare albino buffalo who lived with the museum’s herd for almost two decades. White Cloud died peacefully of old age on Monday, November 14, 2016.

White Cloud was born on the Shirek Buffalo Ranch near Michigan, North Dakota, in 1996 and came to live with the herd at the National Buffalo Museum in 1997. She gave birth to 11 calves during her time in Jamestown, including Dakota Miracle, a rare white bull. She returned home to the Shirek Buffalo Ranch in May of 2016.

White Cloud was beloved by local residents and attracted an estimated 3 million visitors to Jamestown. White bison are exceedingly rare and are considered sacred to indigenous peoples of North America.

“To me, White Cloud was more than a tourist attraction. She drew many, many people to the community, but more than that, she brought the community together with White Cloud Days, parades, and special Native American events. She will be missed by the Museum, our city, and by all the travelers that could look to the North and view her as they drove along the I-94 interstate pasture” said Don Williams, President of the National Buffalo Museum’s board.

There will not be a formal memorial service for White Cloud, but the museum encourages those who wish to share their memories, stories and photos on social media using #WhiteCloud.

Plans are being made to bring White Cloud back to the museum as a full body mount display. With your support, she will be preserved for future generations. Please send donations to the White Cloud Preservation and Memorial Fund, c/o National Buffalo Museum, 500 17th St. SE, Jamestown, ND, 58401.